The government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening public health security through a coordinated, whole-of-government approach, as the country faces a rise in zoonotic diseases; illnesses transmitted from animals to humans.
Speaking during the inaugural Kenya Health Security Convention 2026 in Mombasa, Medical Services PS, Dr. Ouma Oluga said Kenya is building on an already solid legal and institutional foundation, anchored by the operationalisation of the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI).
Dr. Oluga noted that Kenya is not starting from scratch, citing several legislative frameworks that support health security. These include the Social Health Insurance Act, the Primary Healthcare Act, the Public Health Act, and the Digital Health Act, all of which provide a framework for strengthening emergency preparedness and response.
“We have a strong financing outlook and a comprehensive legal framework that supports the operationalisation of KNPHI,” he said, adding that the institute plays a central role in coordinating health emergency responses.
The PS emphasised that responding to health emergencies is a shared national responsibility. The KNPHI board comprises representatives from key ministries, including Defence, Interior and National Administration, Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, and Agriculture and Livestock Development. This multi-sectoral representation, he said, integrates health security with national security.
“Health security is not just a health issue; it is a national security concern. That is why we have brought together all these critical sectors under KNPHI,” he explained.
Dr. Oluga also highlighted progress in strengthening domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing, revealing that Kenya BioVax is at an advanced stage of producing its first vial. This move is expected to reduce reliance on imports and improve access to essential medical commodities.
At the same time, he challenged the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) to streamline supply chain systems and ensure timely delivery of medical products across the country.
“We have KEMSA. Let us ensure that commodities reach the people efficiently, without unnecessary bureaucracies and bottlenecks,” he said.
KNPHI Acting Director General Dr. Kamene Kimenye said the institute, established in 2022 and operationalized in 2025, is mandated to provide health intelligence, coordinate emergency preparedness, and lead response efforts.
She noted that emerging health threats are increasingly driven by zoonotic diseases, which now account for approximately 70 per cent of new infections globally.
“We are strengthening surveillance systems and raising public awareness on the risks posed by sick animals, while encouraging timely veterinary care to prevent transmission to humans,” said Dr Kimenye.
In addition to zoonotic diseases, the institute is also addressing antimicrobial resistance, which she described as a growing global health threat requiring urgent attention.
KNPHI Board Chairman Paul Kariuki acknowledged that fragmented responses and limited resource mobilization have historically undermined effective management of health emergencies.
However, he said the institute is now consolidating efforts to ensure a unified and coordinated approach.
“In the past, different actors responded independently using separate resources. KNPHI now provides a platform for collective planning and resource mobilization towards a shared vision,” he said.
Kariuki added that the institute is rolling out the Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training (FELT) programme to strengthen early detection and reporting of health threats across counties.
“We are working to ensure this is a continuous process, so that every county has trained field epidemiologists capable of detecting, reporting and responding to public health threats promptly,” he said.
The convention also brought together international partners including the World Health Organization (WHO), which reaffirmed its support for Kenya’s health security agenda.
WHO Acting Representative to Kenya Dr. Neema Kimambo said the organization is collaborating with KNPHI to enhance disease surveillance and strengthen detection capacities.
“This convention comes at a critical time. It is important to ensure that evidence informs policy and that policies are effectively implemented, especially during emergencies,” she said.
Dr. Kimambo underscored the importance of sustainable financing for health emergency preparedness and response, urging governments to establish dedicated budget lines that can be quickly accessed during crises.
“You can have strong policies and strategies, but without adequate funding, timely response becomes a challenge. Countries must ensure resources are readily available when emergencies occur,” she said.
By Sadik Hassan
